Finding time to participate in the synodal journey
Synod
Preparations are underway for the 2026 Synod to be held in Adelaide and it was one of the first topics addressed at the Star of the Sea School’s annual reflection day last month.
Ushering in a sense of confidence among all sectors of an increasingly diverse Archdiocese will be one of the many positive outcomes of next year’s Synod, predicts Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan.
Describing synodality as an evolution and not a revolution, Archbishop O’Regan said changing demographics over the past 15 years in Australia made the Synod, to be held in May and June 2026, particularly timely.
“It’s not a marching army where everyone steps off together, it’s a bell curve and some are ahead of the game already,” he said. “Some are in that middle area and others need a little encouragement.”
The Archbishop affirmed Pope Leo’s description of synodality as a style and attitude where how we walk together matters most.
The Adelaide Diocesan Synod will look at cultural change while drawing on the best of our traditions to make it fit for purpose for the 21st century, he predicted. It would not be a “traditional democracy” but a way of participating.
“Synodality is not a parliament but a spiritual journey,” Archbishop O’Regan said.
Contemporary challenges are many, though. Finding the time to be involved in any aspect of a Church today can be particularly difficult, the Archbishop reflected.
“Our participation rate in parishes tends to be lower than what it was, partly by the fact that people are working. People will support (the Church) financially or by prayer but can’t come to a meeting.
“Getting people to participate has become more difficult because of time but also because of the number of people who have changed residency in the past five years. What that means is that people don’t engage as much.
“The whole idea of a Synod is getting people together so they have a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves.”
Anyone wanting to learn more about the Synod can visit its new website togetherontheway.au
The site sets out the five key themes of the Synod and lists everyone mandated to attend. It also includes a timeline from now through to June 2026. Writing groups have been convened for the five themes.
The Archdiocese is also seeking expressions of interest from people interested in becoming a member of the Synod.
Member requirements and the process for making an expression of interest by August 11 are outlined on the website at togetherontheway.au/members.
Next month there will be an online forum for participants and in November draft papers for the Synod will be made available to the public for consultation and feedback.
Meanwhile, the Synod was one of the main topics in an address by Peter Bierer, assistant director, Pastoral Life and Mission at the Archdiocese of Adelaide, to the
Star of the Sea School’s annual reflection day last month.
It’s not too often that morphology hits the right notes but that’s precisely what happened at the get-together.
After talking about the Jubilee Year of Hope and the call to be pilgrims of hope, Mr Bierer explained to the 75 staff just exactly what the word ‘synodality’ means, using morphology (the study of the internal structure of words) to do so.
He told the group to start by breaking it down into the original Greek, SYN – HODOS which means ‘together on the way’.
The explanation caused quite a commotion at one table, according to school co-principal Kelly Manera, with several staff immediately grasping its meaning.
The reflection day, held on the Monday before the start of the second semester at the Grange Surf Lifesaving Club, was a voluntary affair but Ms Manera said everyone – teachers, support teachers and ground staff – wanted to come along.
“Synodality is a style and an attitude of being Church that happens by promoting an authentic experience,” Mr Bierer told the gathering.
“Being a synodal Church opens up who gets to come together to share in the decision-making.”
The group heard that the upcoming Synod was about communion (community and relationships), mission and participation and as such impacted all the faithful – ordained and lay.
Mr Bierer explained that while there had been lots of Synods in Rome, previously only bishops had attended.
The Synod on Synodality in 2023-24 was different; everyone was invited to have a voice.
“Our Archdiocesan Synod aims to do the same,” he said, adding that the Diocesan assemblies had paved the way for decisions to be made at the Synod.
